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EMP Catastrophe #1
Erupting Trouble
A father with a heart problem and a son determined to get him home�
Matthew Riley wants to believe that people will come together in times of great struggle, but as panic and chaos set in after a massive EMP event, he has to face the fact that the only people he can trust are his family. His ailing father, David, an Army vet, has the skills the Riley family needs to survive in the dark new world, but with no medication for his heart condition on hand, keeping him alive may be an impossible task as they journey home from what was supposed to be a simple day trip.
She’ll keep her daughter safe and reunite her family�
Kathleen doesn’t share her husband’s optimistic view of humanity. When the power goes out during a visit to her brother in prison, she and her teenage daughter will need to find their way out and start the long journey back to Galena, IL, in the hope they can reunite with the rest of their family.
They’ll defend their home�
With the rest of the Riley family gone, it’s up to Ruth and her grandson, Patton, to keep their newly renovated hotel safe for the family they know is coming their way. But food is running low and some see an elderly woman and a pre-teen boy as easy pickings.
In a broken civilization the only way to survive is strength in numbers. One family is determined to work together in this new world, but will they be able to defend themselves against desperate survivors?
Matthew Riley wants to believe that people will come together in times of great struggle, but as panic and chaos set in after a massive EMP event, he has to face the fact that the only people he can trust are his family. His ailing father, David, an Army vet, has the skills the Riley family needs to survive in the dark new world, but with no medication for his heart condition on hand, keeping him alive may be an impossible task as they journey home from what was supposed to be a simple day trip.
She’ll keep her daughter safe and reunite her family�
Kathleen doesn’t share her husband’s optimistic view of humanity. When the power goes out during a visit to her brother in prison, she and her teenage daughter will need to find their way out and start the long journey back to Galena, IL, in the hope they can reunite with the rest of their family.
They’ll defend their home�
With the rest of the Riley family gone, it’s up to Ruth and her grandson, Patton, to keep their newly renovated hotel safe for the family they know is coming their way. But food is running low and some see an elderly woman and a pre-teen boy as easy pickings.
In a broken civilization the only way to survive is strength in numbers. One family is determined to work together in this new world, but will they be able to defend themselves against desperate survivors?
336 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 14, 2021
468 people are currently reading
129 people want to read
About the author
Grace Hamilton
153books278followersGrace Hamilton is the prepper pen-name for a bad-ass, survivalist momma-bear of four kids, and wife to a wonderful husband. After being stuck in a mountain cabin for six days following a flash flood, she decided she never wanted to feel so powerless or have to send her kids to bed hungry again. Now she lives the prepper lifestyle and knows that if SHTF or TEOTWAWKI happens, she’ll be ready to help protect and provide for her family.
Combine this survivalist mentality with a vivid imagination (as well as a slightly unhealthy day dreaming habit) and you get a prepper fiction author. Grace spends her days thinking about the worst possible survival situations that a person could be thrown into, then throwing her characters into these nightmares while trying to figure out "What SHOULD you do in this situation?"
It’s her wish that through her characters, you will get to experience what life will be like and essentially learn from their mistakes and experiences.
Combine this survivalist mentality with a vivid imagination (as well as a slightly unhealthy day dreaming habit) and you get a prepper fiction author. Grace spends her days thinking about the worst possible survival situations that a person could be thrown into, then throwing her characters into these nightmares while trying to figure out "What SHOULD you do in this situation?"
It’s her wish that through her characters, you will get to experience what life will be like and essentially learn from their mistakes and experiences.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 56 reviews
May 6, 2021
I was totally wowed by Erupting Trouble and will definitely be reading more work by this author. I flew through the book, barely pausing in my reading of it and completing it within a day. Hooked doesn't even begin to describe the grip this story had on my.
This was by no means perfect, there were certain elements that felt a little glossed over and some situations felt easily resolved, but I simply didn't care. The writing and characterisation were excellent, leaving me feeling as though I knew the protagonists. The Riley family were an interesting bunch, and how they chose to overcome the obstacles facing them were both interesting and well executed. The timeline was a little vague as were some specifics, for example what did Kathleen and Allison do at night? Did they pass through other towns whilst heading home?
Was the speed with which social norms crumbled believable? I felt it was, we've all seen a crowd suddenly turn violent, it doesn't take much to push some people over the edge. The moral dilemma's that were faced were fascinating, who knows what we would do to survive in a world gone wrong.
I will definitely be reading the next book - I can't wait for it to be released!
This was by no means perfect, there were certain elements that felt a little glossed over and some situations felt easily resolved, but I simply didn't care. The writing and characterisation were excellent, leaving me feeling as though I knew the protagonists. The Riley family were an interesting bunch, and how they chose to overcome the obstacles facing them were both interesting and well executed. The timeline was a little vague as were some specifics, for example what did Kathleen and Allison do at night? Did they pass through other towns whilst heading home?
Was the speed with which social norms crumbled believable? I felt it was, we've all seen a crowd suddenly turn violent, it doesn't take much to push some people over the edge. The moral dilemma's that were faced were fascinating, who knows what we would do to survive in a world gone wrong.
I will definitely be reading the next book - I can't wait for it to be released!
April 16, 2021
Chapter 13 & still don't realize an EMP happened ?!?!
Chapter 13 & still don't realize an EMP happened ?!
Should have bought more camping stuff with credit card. Is
Chapter 13 & still don't realize an EMP happened ?!
Should have bought more camping stuff with credit card. Is
July 2, 2021
sadly author knows nothing about survival.
soap opera with survival furniture. good characters and relationships until survival becomes important
pity
soap opera with survival furniture. good characters and relationships until survival becomes important
pity
April 13, 2021
Multiple possibilities for catastrophe exist: sinkholes, earthquakes, tsunamis, hurricanes, wildfires, volcanic eruptions. All are frightening and potentially disastrous, but not all are of worldwide effect. I've long been fearful of an EMP (Electromagnetic Pulse) event, whether a foreign government assault, a terrorist event, or even a Solar Flare or Coronal Mass Event, which if sufficiently massive would have the same consequences. Most global infrastructure is not shielded to prevent such catastrophe; and I find reading of such an event always particularly terrifying. The veneer between civilization and chaos, in macrocosm AND in microcosm, is so fragile. Each of us is only a few breakdowns away from becoming a gibbering entity focused only on survival.
April 14, 2021
An EMP plunges the Riley family’s world into darkness. The family struggles to get home to the family hotel. Reminiscent of Chris Weatherman’s “Home� series, this storyline promises to be every bit as entertaining.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
December 29, 2021
Grace Hamilton's book Erupting Trouble is a must read. I was enthralled all through the story. The characters are ordinary people that are dealing with something that is out of the ordinary. I can't wait to find out what happens in book two!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Jackie Bauerelen
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Jackie Bauerelen
April 14, 2021
An exciting EMP apocalyptic story! Well written, good ideas & a fun read! Once I started reading I was gripped until the end! I do always enjoy this writers work & do recommend it!
April 20, 2021
The cover gives the biggest clue to the genre of this book, the carnage of cars, the two figures with guns and backpacks. The cover certainly makes you wonder who the two figures are and why and where they are travelling. As well as the questions it raises about what has happened that has abandoned cars & carnage on what looks to be a highway/motorway. So, the cover certainly drew me in to read the blurb, and I have read other books by this author in the past too.
I usually enjoy this type of “apocalyptic event� and what happens after scenario and there seems to be a wide range in ages of characters so I thought it would add another level of “interesting� to reading the book, seeing how those older/younger deal with what happens.
Something happens, both solar flares and terrorism are mentioned in the book. Though this book doesn’t solve or uncover exactly what happens it is more centred on how the main characters, the Riley family cope. The Riley family are spread quite far away from each other when the “event� occurs. All the family members are in dangerous situations for different reasons. Matthew and his father David, an ex-army veteran who has a heart condition that he is particularly stubborn about find themselves stranded 80 miles from home in Galena at the River Rock Hotel. They are in Wilson’s antique store when the lights suddenly go off, then they discover their car will not start either. Matthew and David soon realise that if they want to get back to David’s wife Ruth, and Matthews twelve-year-old son, Patton they will have to set off walking! Which bothers Matthew as his father’s heart isn’t in great shape meaning walking will be a struggle for the stoic man. Unbeknownst to Matthew his father has been particularly stubborn and rather naively left his heart medication back in the Hotel in the Galena mountains. What Matthew initially viewed as a difficult journey, changes into being a dangerous, life threatening one. If that isn’t enough to worry about, his wife, Kathleen and his daughter Allison are not home at the hotel either, they are visiting Kathleen’s brother, Max in prison. Max had been caught, his first offence as a small-town drug dealer/drug mule. Kathleen finds it difficult talking to her brother, not really knowing what to say. Kathleen is already nervous about the hunted look on her brothers face and the lack of his usual carefree attitude. Then the lights go off! Kathleen quickly realises from the guard’s reactions that they are no wiser as to what is happening�.and are unsure what to do. Initially the guards plan to keep the visitors in the prison too. Max tells his sister when she gets out she needs to go retrieve a bag he has hidden in the Chicago area, he then makes a stand and when other prisoners seem to agree and pressure the guards the visitors are released to go on their way. It’s then Kathleen realises what danger her brother is in and finds out her car along with the majority of peoples around them will no longer start. Kathleen decides they need to head home to Galena and buys them some bikes for the journey. Allison being a “typical teen� is irritated and sulky when her mother explains they cannot go and visit her friends as she had promised before “it� happened, even when her mother explains how serious the situation is that they are in. Allison soon changes her mind when she is surrounded by young males trying to take her and her mother’s bike from her whilst her mother is retrieving the bag Uncle Max told her mum about. Kathleen retrieves the bag her brother has told her about, both cursing and thanking him for its contents and returns to what could turn into a dire result if she doesn’t handle it swiftly and correctly.
When thinking about “home� the newly purchased River Rock Hotel, Matthew, David, Kathleen and Allison are all under the impression that everything will be fine there, all they need to do is to get back there and everything else will be fine.
It is Ruth, David’s wife, Matthew’s mum that is at home with her grandson, Matthew & Kathleen’s youngest child Patton. Ruth and Patton try to ignore the lack of electric at first and continue their cleaning in the hope the problem is temporary. When it becomes apparent it isn’t temporary Ruth sets about first preserving food, then going shopping down the mountain in Galena. It’s on the way back they spot a van that was probably on its way to deliver their grocery order when everything stopped. They continue with home their purchases, and decide to head back to take some items from the van. Its on that return journey they come across Samuel, who Ruth instantly feels negative, dangerous vibes from. Ruth gets herself and Patton away from him as soon as possible and they lock up and lay some homemade alarms around as neither of them feels particularly safe.
Other than the main characters one of my favourite individuals in the book is Rhonda who is an old friend of Kathleen’s. The two women lost contact, leaving things not on great terms. Kathleen takes a chance on turning up on her friend’s doorstep, as if anyone can help and advise her how to get home to the River Rock Hotel it is Rhonda as she was always into prepping for events just like this one. I also felt sorry for, and couldn’t help liking Jade, despite her way of thinking and her somewhat shady past. I can’t help feeling she isn’t wholly bad, more perhaps a victim of her circumstances. The character I loved to hate was Samuel, you’ll learn why when you read the book. I’m not so sure I would be so lenient on him after what he did. I almost forgot Jordan, who recommended some basic hiking/survival gear to Matthew & David. I adored the reference to the old credit card machine, the three different pieces of coloured carbon copies, the whole sliding the top slab bit over and handing Matthew the pink slip. It reminded me of my early working years and my battles with the manual machine!!
I thoroughly enjoyed seeing the relationships within the Riley family. The similarities and stubbornness between David and Matthew. The way David is more cynical and Matthew the tolerant one who wants to believe the best of everyone and give them multiple chances to redeem themselves, but I can’t help wondering if his “soft heart� could end up costing a life somewhere along in this book/series. The relationship between Kathleen and her brother Max was written so well, with both of them attempting to keep a brave face on for the other. Then the way Max sticks his head above the parapet, getting himself “noticed� with the guards and prisoners when he speaks up to get his sister and niece out of the prison before things turn into a riot. I’d love to see more of him as the series goes on, but maybe being “noticed� could have put him in the crosshairs of those he was trying to stay hidden from.
As we soon learn strange times, make odd people do awful things. In fact, this event begins to make a lot of people act out of their normal range of behaviour and moral compass. The book follows the different character duo’s, how they react when things go wrong and what they do to protect themselves and their loved ones.
My immediate thoughts upon finishing this book were Oh wow! What a time/place to end!!! Can't wait for bk2
Summing up this seems like a great start to a possibly amazing series. This book ended with me still having lots of questions and hopes for the characters introduced in this book. Really looking forward to what happens next. How will the River Rock Hotel and its owners survive, and what other dangers will they be facing? And I’d love more Rhonda and Max�.really loved reading this book! The ending of this book certainly left me wanting more, more, more!
I usually enjoy this type of “apocalyptic event� and what happens after scenario and there seems to be a wide range in ages of characters so I thought it would add another level of “interesting� to reading the book, seeing how those older/younger deal with what happens.
Something happens, both solar flares and terrorism are mentioned in the book. Though this book doesn’t solve or uncover exactly what happens it is more centred on how the main characters, the Riley family cope. The Riley family are spread quite far away from each other when the “event� occurs. All the family members are in dangerous situations for different reasons. Matthew and his father David, an ex-army veteran who has a heart condition that he is particularly stubborn about find themselves stranded 80 miles from home in Galena at the River Rock Hotel. They are in Wilson’s antique store when the lights suddenly go off, then they discover their car will not start either. Matthew and David soon realise that if they want to get back to David’s wife Ruth, and Matthews twelve-year-old son, Patton they will have to set off walking! Which bothers Matthew as his father’s heart isn’t in great shape meaning walking will be a struggle for the stoic man. Unbeknownst to Matthew his father has been particularly stubborn and rather naively left his heart medication back in the Hotel in the Galena mountains. What Matthew initially viewed as a difficult journey, changes into being a dangerous, life threatening one. If that isn’t enough to worry about, his wife, Kathleen and his daughter Allison are not home at the hotel either, they are visiting Kathleen’s brother, Max in prison. Max had been caught, his first offence as a small-town drug dealer/drug mule. Kathleen finds it difficult talking to her brother, not really knowing what to say. Kathleen is already nervous about the hunted look on her brothers face and the lack of his usual carefree attitude. Then the lights go off! Kathleen quickly realises from the guard’s reactions that they are no wiser as to what is happening�.and are unsure what to do. Initially the guards plan to keep the visitors in the prison too. Max tells his sister when she gets out she needs to go retrieve a bag he has hidden in the Chicago area, he then makes a stand and when other prisoners seem to agree and pressure the guards the visitors are released to go on their way. It’s then Kathleen realises what danger her brother is in and finds out her car along with the majority of peoples around them will no longer start. Kathleen decides they need to head home to Galena and buys them some bikes for the journey. Allison being a “typical teen� is irritated and sulky when her mother explains they cannot go and visit her friends as she had promised before “it� happened, even when her mother explains how serious the situation is that they are in. Allison soon changes her mind when she is surrounded by young males trying to take her and her mother’s bike from her whilst her mother is retrieving the bag Uncle Max told her mum about. Kathleen retrieves the bag her brother has told her about, both cursing and thanking him for its contents and returns to what could turn into a dire result if she doesn’t handle it swiftly and correctly.
When thinking about “home� the newly purchased River Rock Hotel, Matthew, David, Kathleen and Allison are all under the impression that everything will be fine there, all they need to do is to get back there and everything else will be fine.
It is Ruth, David’s wife, Matthew’s mum that is at home with her grandson, Matthew & Kathleen’s youngest child Patton. Ruth and Patton try to ignore the lack of electric at first and continue their cleaning in the hope the problem is temporary. When it becomes apparent it isn’t temporary Ruth sets about first preserving food, then going shopping down the mountain in Galena. It’s on the way back they spot a van that was probably on its way to deliver their grocery order when everything stopped. They continue with home their purchases, and decide to head back to take some items from the van. Its on that return journey they come across Samuel, who Ruth instantly feels negative, dangerous vibes from. Ruth gets herself and Patton away from him as soon as possible and they lock up and lay some homemade alarms around as neither of them feels particularly safe.
Other than the main characters one of my favourite individuals in the book is Rhonda who is an old friend of Kathleen’s. The two women lost contact, leaving things not on great terms. Kathleen takes a chance on turning up on her friend’s doorstep, as if anyone can help and advise her how to get home to the River Rock Hotel it is Rhonda as she was always into prepping for events just like this one. I also felt sorry for, and couldn’t help liking Jade, despite her way of thinking and her somewhat shady past. I can’t help feeling she isn’t wholly bad, more perhaps a victim of her circumstances. The character I loved to hate was Samuel, you’ll learn why when you read the book. I’m not so sure I would be so lenient on him after what he did. I almost forgot Jordan, who recommended some basic hiking/survival gear to Matthew & David. I adored the reference to the old credit card machine, the three different pieces of coloured carbon copies, the whole sliding the top slab bit over and handing Matthew the pink slip. It reminded me of my early working years and my battles with the manual machine!!
I thoroughly enjoyed seeing the relationships within the Riley family. The similarities and stubbornness between David and Matthew. The way David is more cynical and Matthew the tolerant one who wants to believe the best of everyone and give them multiple chances to redeem themselves, but I can’t help wondering if his “soft heart� could end up costing a life somewhere along in this book/series. The relationship between Kathleen and her brother Max was written so well, with both of them attempting to keep a brave face on for the other. Then the way Max sticks his head above the parapet, getting himself “noticed� with the guards and prisoners when he speaks up to get his sister and niece out of the prison before things turn into a riot. I’d love to see more of him as the series goes on, but maybe being “noticed� could have put him in the crosshairs of those he was trying to stay hidden from.
As we soon learn strange times, make odd people do awful things. In fact, this event begins to make a lot of people act out of their normal range of behaviour and moral compass. The book follows the different character duo’s, how they react when things go wrong and what they do to protect themselves and their loved ones.
My immediate thoughts upon finishing this book were Oh wow! What a time/place to end!!! Can't wait for bk2
Summing up this seems like a great start to a possibly amazing series. This book ended with me still having lots of questions and hopes for the characters introduced in this book. Really looking forward to what happens next. How will the River Rock Hotel and its owners survive, and what other dangers will they be facing? And I’d love more Rhonda and Max�.really loved reading this book! The ending of this book certainly left me wanting more, more, more!
January 5, 2022
Interesting how one family deals with an EMP
This first book was a good introduction of characters that one can only assume will the the future cast in the multi book series. The style is easy to read. The dialogue was believable, if not a bit too casual under the circumstances of the plot. Without being too critical, it is a nice, easy to read novel about how people would react and cope during and after an EMP. I would recommend this book to all the lovers of apocalyptic literature.
This first book was a good introduction of characters that one can only assume will the the future cast in the multi book series. The style is easy to read. The dialogue was believable, if not a bit too casual under the circumstances of the plot. Without being too critical, it is a nice, easy to read novel about how people would react and cope during and after an EMP. I would recommend this book to all the lovers of apocalyptic literature.
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October 30, 2021To concerned with the way things were
The characters have a strange reliance on the way things were. They consider "self defense" to be murder. It's hard to see them survive in this world. They need to toughen up or they won't make it.This belief that they can make it acting like they do is naive. Not a typical Grace Hamilton book.
The characters have a strange reliance on the way things were. They consider "self defense" to be murder. It's hard to see them survive in this world. They need to toughen up or they won't make it.This belief that they can make it acting like they do is naive. Not a typical Grace Hamilton book.
May 20, 2021
This is book one of the EMP Catastrophe series and centres on the Riley family, who have all moved to take over the rundown River Rock hotel, up in the mountains above the small town of Galena, Illinois, after the patriarch of the family, David, had a serious heart attack and needed a gentler pace of life. David and his son Matthew are in Madison, some eighty miles from Galena, to pick up furniture for the hotel, which had been Matthew and his wife Kathleen’s dream for a long time. David is an army vet and more worldly wise than his son Matthew, who sees the good in all situations and is always willing to help others, something he will soon learn is quite a dangerous outlook. David’s wife Ruth is back at the hotel with her grandson Patton, who is helping her to clean some of the rooms. Kathleen and daughter Allison are in Chicago, some hundred and eighty eight miles away from the hotel, to see Kathleen’s brother Max, who is in prison for dealing drugs and being a drug mule for a cartel.
Each pair, Matthew and David, Kathleen and Allison and even Ruth and Patton will all face their own difficulties. David left his heart medication at home in Galena, not expecting to be away from the hotel for more than a few hours and he isn’t supposed to overexert himself. Not the best, when they face a long walk home. Their cars won’t start, power has gone out and no phones are working. No one seems to know what might have happened until an EMP or solar flare is mentioned, but nothing is really known whether this was a natural occurrence or an act of war or terrorism. Allison wants to see her old school friends before they leave Chicago, their old home, and doesn’t seem to realise how dangerous a situation they are in, until a personal attack happens. Ruth and Patton are the only ones that can keep the hotel safe for the rest of the family, who they have to trust will make it home safely. Their food order should have been arriving that afternoon, but hasn’t come, and the more immediate problem is the loss of power and their decrepit appliances and walk in freezer not working properly. What little food they have is about to be ruined.
Max is in danger in the prison, after giving up information for a lighter sentence, but the cartel have others in the same part of the prison as him, while he awaits his case being finalised, meaning he needs to watch his every move and his back all the time. Someone believes Ruth and Patton are easy targets and in their drunken daily stupor, feel they should be the owner of the hotel and the land it is on, and wants the Riley family out! Normal daily life is falling into chaos and some are already taking advantage of the absence of law enforcement or the military. People are trying to make their way home however they can, with prices going up drastically and supplies of everything running out or being looted. Nobody really knows what is happening and when the power may come back on, but as the hours go by, hope is an uncertain commodity. David is more street wise and when they pick up a single young woman, Jade, who is struggling having lived on the streets for years due to a family issue, the two hit it off with their streetwise and world experiences. Matthew doesn’t trust her, but David takes an immediate liking to Jade and invites her to join their family at the hotel, something that will come back to bite them.
Lots of twists and turns, as well as dangerous situations for each pairing, as panic and chaos makes the struggle so much more difficult. Matthew hoping to see the best of people and everyone working together to help each other in times of struggle, is a pipedream he needs to quickly get wise about, as he places himself and his dad in danger to help others without thinking first. Their opposite personalities and experiences in life leading them to clash for years. Allison is one year from official adulthood and has the attitude to match, believing she knows everything and should be able to do what she wants, but this battle for survival will make her grow up in a hurry. Patton is a great character who has a lot of knowledge to help their food situation and works hard on everything he can. Jade is a character you will hate at one point, then love another, but she has grown up learning the skills to look after herself all alone from a young age and is also good with guns, which could be vital. A great start to the series and shows the difficulties three generations of a family have to contend with, on what should have been a normal day of preparation for their new endeavour at the hotel. I can’t wait to read the next book in the series. I received an ARC copy of this book from BookSprout and I have freely given my own opinion of the book above.
Each pair, Matthew and David, Kathleen and Allison and even Ruth and Patton will all face their own difficulties. David left his heart medication at home in Galena, not expecting to be away from the hotel for more than a few hours and he isn’t supposed to overexert himself. Not the best, when they face a long walk home. Their cars won’t start, power has gone out and no phones are working. No one seems to know what might have happened until an EMP or solar flare is mentioned, but nothing is really known whether this was a natural occurrence or an act of war or terrorism. Allison wants to see her old school friends before they leave Chicago, their old home, and doesn’t seem to realise how dangerous a situation they are in, until a personal attack happens. Ruth and Patton are the only ones that can keep the hotel safe for the rest of the family, who they have to trust will make it home safely. Their food order should have been arriving that afternoon, but hasn’t come, and the more immediate problem is the loss of power and their decrepit appliances and walk in freezer not working properly. What little food they have is about to be ruined.
Max is in danger in the prison, after giving up information for a lighter sentence, but the cartel have others in the same part of the prison as him, while he awaits his case being finalised, meaning he needs to watch his every move and his back all the time. Someone believes Ruth and Patton are easy targets and in their drunken daily stupor, feel they should be the owner of the hotel and the land it is on, and wants the Riley family out! Normal daily life is falling into chaos and some are already taking advantage of the absence of law enforcement or the military. People are trying to make their way home however they can, with prices going up drastically and supplies of everything running out or being looted. Nobody really knows what is happening and when the power may come back on, but as the hours go by, hope is an uncertain commodity. David is more street wise and when they pick up a single young woman, Jade, who is struggling having lived on the streets for years due to a family issue, the two hit it off with their streetwise and world experiences. Matthew doesn’t trust her, but David takes an immediate liking to Jade and invites her to join their family at the hotel, something that will come back to bite them.
Lots of twists and turns, as well as dangerous situations for each pairing, as panic and chaos makes the struggle so much more difficult. Matthew hoping to see the best of people and everyone working together to help each other in times of struggle, is a pipedream he needs to quickly get wise about, as he places himself and his dad in danger to help others without thinking first. Their opposite personalities and experiences in life leading them to clash for years. Allison is one year from official adulthood and has the attitude to match, believing she knows everything and should be able to do what she wants, but this battle for survival will make her grow up in a hurry. Patton is a great character who has a lot of knowledge to help their food situation and works hard on everything he can. Jade is a character you will hate at one point, then love another, but she has grown up learning the skills to look after herself all alone from a young age and is also good with guns, which could be vital. A great start to the series and shows the difficulties three generations of a family have to contend with, on what should have been a normal day of preparation for their new endeavour at the hotel. I can’t wait to read the next book in the series. I received an ARC copy of this book from BookSprout and I have freely given my own opinion of the book above.
September 24, 2021
We’ve been here before, for some reason an EMP strikes some area{s} of the globe shutting down power and electronics. As people begin to realize what happened, panic, violence, and chaos escalate. How people react, how they treat their fellow man, and how family, friends, and neighbors are affected by the disaster is what follows. What we hope for is that the author delivers something exciting, different, or unique for our ears, eyes, and emotions. Grace Hamilton has always met or exceeded my expectation. I admire her talent and imagination, always looking forward to her next volume. This first book in a new series chronicles a family split apart by distance, struggling with the hardships put in their path until they can reunite. David and his son Matthew were camping and bonding. David’s wife Ruth and Matthew’s son Patton were back home in Chicago, while Matthew’s wife Kathleen and daughter Allison were visiting Kathleen’s brother Max in prison. David and Matt had the worst experiences. They met and befriended a teenage girl Jade, inviting her to travel with them not knowing she was a bit psychotic. That didn’t turn out well. Matt began the camping trip naïve, and argumentative with his father. The long journey towards home changed much of that, opening his eyes to the world around him and producing a new appreciation for his father. Kathleen and Allison, deciding to ride bicycles, were on their way home. Max, who was serving less time after making a deal with the prosecution, was having issues unrelated to the EMP. Unfortunately, the reader occasionally encounters misinformation within the text due to simple oversight or a lack of fact-checking by the author, and/or a lack of internal fact-checking by the publisher. I think most times it’s a minor issue for the story but it does throw the reader who notices it. In this case; After the EMP struck, people were looking at their phones saying they had no signal, or couldn’t reach anyone when in reality, the phones shouldn’t have even powered on. It may be semantics, but it didn’t sound right. Military novels are much more susceptible due to the number of acronyms, nomenclatures, and weapons. This opening story is interesting, the characters authentic and likable. I enjoyed the tale and look forward to the next volume. I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.
April 20, 2021
What happens when an EMP pulse unexpectedly knocks out all electronics? That's the premise of this book and in it we follow a family whose life has changed in a second.
Matt and his father David are doing a shopping run when the EMP hits and get stuck about 80 miles from their hometown. They will have to walk back while David is recovering from a heart attack and didn't bring his medication along.
Meanwhile Ruth is left behind in the hotel with Patton, her grandson, waiting on everyone to return. They have no idea what is happening.
Matt's wife Kathleen is with their daughter Allison in Chicago, over 100 miles away from the hotel to visit her brother Max in prison when the EMP hits. They have a long road back ahead if them if they manage to leave the jail.
I got sucked into this book from the start and could hardly put it down. I loved how Hamilton took a regular day in the life of a family and showed us what happens when the unexpected occurs. The way everybody interacted and what happened in society within a couple of hours after the EMP hit seemed realistic and the moral choices each of the main characters had to make rang true and made me think as well. How far are you willing to go to survive or to protect your family?
I also liked that nobody was special...like in some books you see that all of a sudden someone is a martial arts specialist or can handle an insane amount of wounds or generally just straying into the unrealistic.
And now I am impatiently waiting for the second book to see how this family will deal with the situation and what will happen when more time has passed since the EMP. Well worth the read if you like apocalyptic books but want a slightly different approach for a change.
*** An ARC was provided by Netgalley in exchange for a honest review. ***
Matt and his father David are doing a shopping run when the EMP hits and get stuck about 80 miles from their hometown. They will have to walk back while David is recovering from a heart attack and didn't bring his medication along.
Meanwhile Ruth is left behind in the hotel with Patton, her grandson, waiting on everyone to return. They have no idea what is happening.
Matt's wife Kathleen is with their daughter Allison in Chicago, over 100 miles away from the hotel to visit her brother Max in prison when the EMP hits. They have a long road back ahead if them if they manage to leave the jail.
I got sucked into this book from the start and could hardly put it down. I loved how Hamilton took a regular day in the life of a family and showed us what happens when the unexpected occurs. The way everybody interacted and what happened in society within a couple of hours after the EMP hit seemed realistic and the moral choices each of the main characters had to make rang true and made me think as well. How far are you willing to go to survive or to protect your family?
I also liked that nobody was special...like in some books you see that all of a sudden someone is a martial arts specialist or can handle an insane amount of wounds or generally just straying into the unrealistic.
And now I am impatiently waiting for the second book to see how this family will deal with the situation and what will happen when more time has passed since the EMP. Well worth the read if you like apocalyptic books but want a slightly different approach for a change.
*** An ARC was provided by Netgalley in exchange for a honest review. ***
February 17, 2023
Madison, Wisconsin. Matthew Riley and his father David are at Wilson’s Antiques to buy some furniture 🪑 for the River Rock Hotel 🏨 summertime grand opening.
Just then the light bulbs💡 start to flicker before the antique store is plunged into darkness. Matthew tries to call his wife Kathleen but the call won’t go through despite his battery is fully charged.
Unable to pay for their fares, the customers have to leave behind their purchases to return another day when the power’s back on.
As Mathew and his father head to Matthew's truck, Matthew notices his car won’t start. His car runs on computer software.
So they both head back to the antiques shop to see get help jump-start the truck 🛻 But they find the place in chaos and people getting irritated. Turns out their cars won’t start too.
Matthew and his father would have to figure out how to get to their home in Galena. Especially when he learns that David did not take his heart medication 💊 with him. His father’s life is at risk—he needs to find another solution to get home.
The only option is to walk back to Gelena. They both head to a sporting goods store 🏬 for hiking supplies 🥾
Meanwhile, Kathleen is visiting her brother Max in Chicago’s Metropolitan Correctional Center when the power goes out. The guards announce a lockdown until the power comes back on. In the meantime, visitors and prisoners would be cooped up in the same place. Fearing for his sister’s and niece’s lives Max comes up with a plan to help them get to Gelena to safety.
With the rest of the Riley family gone, it’s up to Ruth, Matthew’s mother, and her grandson and Matthew’s son, Patton, to keep their newly renovated hotel safe. But with dwindling food supplies and just the two of them to man the hotel, some might see them as an easy target.
Just then the light bulbs💡 start to flicker before the antique store is plunged into darkness. Matthew tries to call his wife Kathleen but the call won’t go through despite his battery is fully charged.
Unable to pay for their fares, the customers have to leave behind their purchases to return another day when the power’s back on.
As Mathew and his father head to Matthew's truck, Matthew notices his car won’t start. His car runs on computer software.
So they both head back to the antiques shop to see get help jump-start the truck 🛻 But they find the place in chaos and people getting irritated. Turns out their cars won’t start too.
Matthew and his father would have to figure out how to get to their home in Galena. Especially when he learns that David did not take his heart medication 💊 with him. His father’s life is at risk—he needs to find another solution to get home.
The only option is to walk back to Gelena. They both head to a sporting goods store 🏬 for hiking supplies 🥾
Meanwhile, Kathleen is visiting her brother Max in Chicago’s Metropolitan Correctional Center when the power goes out. The guards announce a lockdown until the power comes back on. In the meantime, visitors and prisoners would be cooped up in the same place. Fearing for his sister’s and niece’s lives Max comes up with a plan to help them get to Gelena to safety.
With the rest of the Riley family gone, it’s up to Ruth, Matthew’s mother, and her grandson and Matthew’s son, Patton, to keep their newly renovated hotel safe. But with dwindling food supplies and just the two of them to man the hotel, some might see them as an easy target.
June 2, 2021
Erupting Trouble follows an average family, the Rileys, as they attempt to find their way home after society collapses. Matthew Riley and his father are stranded 80 miles from home after a shopping trip leaves them stranded without a car. Kathleen Riley and their daughter are stranded in Chicago after their car refuses to turn on. Ruth and her grandson are lucky to be home when disaster strikes but they still have to deal with their own problems and dangers.
This was an amazing and very realistic story about a family trying to survive society collapse. Matthew doesn’t know how to cope and keeps naively believing everything will return to normal. This lead to numerous issues but overtime he matured, grew and learned to face the new reality head on. Kathleen and her daughters struggles were more harrowing as they are single woman who appear as easy targets for any raiders or man. I thought their journey was more stressful as they faced more dangers than Matthew and his father based on their gender. Ruth and Patton were interesting but I felt Patton was just a little too knowledge about various survival tips for a kid.
Overall a great book and one I strongly recommend to apocalyptic fans. The plot felt more realistic as their wasn’t any ex-military figures who save the day with unlimited ammo. Instead it was one average family’s struggle to survive using basic knowledge, strength, courage and love.
Thank you to NetGalley for this ARC.
This was an amazing and very realistic story about a family trying to survive society collapse. Matthew doesn’t know how to cope and keeps naively believing everything will return to normal. This lead to numerous issues but overtime he matured, grew and learned to face the new reality head on. Kathleen and her daughters struggles were more harrowing as they are single woman who appear as easy targets for any raiders or man. I thought their journey was more stressful as they faced more dangers than Matthew and his father based on their gender. Ruth and Patton were interesting but I felt Patton was just a little too knowledge about various survival tips for a kid.
Overall a great book and one I strongly recommend to apocalyptic fans. The plot felt more realistic as their wasn’t any ex-military figures who save the day with unlimited ammo. Instead it was one average family’s struggle to survive using basic knowledge, strength, courage and love.
Thank you to NetGalley for this ARC.
October 1, 2021
Erupting Trouble
By, Grace Hamilton
Narrated By, Matthew E. Berry
Obtained: review copies sent to me by author
Format: Audiobook
I very much enjoyed this book by Grace Hamilton. The story really brings you in and holds onto you.
I found the story to be very intriguing and interesting and as I am being honest a bit terrifying knowing an event similar to this could very well happen. The characters go through a very good Arc of coming into themselves and growing into survivor's and coming to terms with their limits and what they have to do. In the story you can see many different facets of humanity at play between the goodness of people, the wickedness, and just plain selfishness.
The narrator Matthew E. Berry does a very good job of bringing you along this thrilling ride with his tones, ability to give each character their own personalities and voices.
I did find the story to be a little bit of a slow start with the build up at times but also the characters seem to jump to very specific conclusions rather quickly about what might of happened and why they are in this type of predicament. I did like how the last chapter was as well but now I am left hanging onto "WhAt HaPpEnS nExT?!?!?"
I suppose I will have to get the next one to find out.
In My Opinion this is definitely worth a listen to or read. As this was my introduction to this author I look forward to more from them in my future reads.
I give this book 4 E-Bombs out of 5
Until Next Time,
-Teo
By, Grace Hamilton
Narrated By, Matthew E. Berry
Obtained: review copies sent to me by author
Format: Audiobook
I very much enjoyed this book by Grace Hamilton. The story really brings you in and holds onto you.
I found the story to be very intriguing and interesting and as I am being honest a bit terrifying knowing an event similar to this could very well happen. The characters go through a very good Arc of coming into themselves and growing into survivor's and coming to terms with their limits and what they have to do. In the story you can see many different facets of humanity at play between the goodness of people, the wickedness, and just plain selfishness.
The narrator Matthew E. Berry does a very good job of bringing you along this thrilling ride with his tones, ability to give each character their own personalities and voices.
I did find the story to be a little bit of a slow start with the build up at times but also the characters seem to jump to very specific conclusions rather quickly about what might of happened and why they are in this type of predicament. I did like how the last chapter was as well but now I am left hanging onto "WhAt HaPpEnS nExT?!?!?"
I suppose I will have to get the next one to find out.
In My Opinion this is definitely worth a listen to or read. As this was my introduction to this author I look forward to more from them in my future reads.
I give this book 4 E-Bombs out of 5
Until Next Time,
-Teo
April 17, 2021
🔗🔗ONE NAILBITING ADVENTURE🔗🔗
Blazing bullets boo! Grace serves up one helluva turbulent, boot-stomping, earth quaking, rock-my-world wonder, delivering up some cruel facts, brutal truths and fierce determination, breaking out the big guns, heavy artillery and ammo aplenty, jetting this jewel to staggering heights. Anarchy and mayhem run rampant as riveting drama, gripping intrigue, underlying currents, spiraling danger, escalating suspense and intense situations converge, testing our characters in ways they could have never anticipated, blasting this baby to life spectacularly. Temperament and ingenuity in every thread you unravel with each page, your drawn into this tangled web so securely and precise, booting this jewel into the eye of a tempest, bursting it into a tailspin with mind-blowing impacts, bringing the heat and knocking down walls, wrapping this gem up sleek, shiny and tight. The characters are complex, genuine and original with traits and qualities that balance and blend, with amazing depth and diversity, adding enough spice for an extra kick. The scenes are strikingly sharp with abundant details and vivid descriptions, creating a colorful backdrop that so rich and lively as though you can just reach out and touch it. Remarkable job Grace, thanks for sharing this awesome little gem with us.
Blazing bullets boo! Grace serves up one helluva turbulent, boot-stomping, earth quaking, rock-my-world wonder, delivering up some cruel facts, brutal truths and fierce determination, breaking out the big guns, heavy artillery and ammo aplenty, jetting this jewel to staggering heights. Anarchy and mayhem run rampant as riveting drama, gripping intrigue, underlying currents, spiraling danger, escalating suspense and intense situations converge, testing our characters in ways they could have never anticipated, blasting this baby to life spectacularly. Temperament and ingenuity in every thread you unravel with each page, your drawn into this tangled web so securely and precise, booting this jewel into the eye of a tempest, bursting it into a tailspin with mind-blowing impacts, bringing the heat and knocking down walls, wrapping this gem up sleek, shiny and tight. The characters are complex, genuine and original with traits and qualities that balance and blend, with amazing depth and diversity, adding enough spice for an extra kick. The scenes are strikingly sharp with abundant details and vivid descriptions, creating a colorful backdrop that so rich and lively as though you can just reach out and touch it. Remarkable job Grace, thanks for sharing this awesome little gem with us.
January 29, 2025
What a roller coaster!!! This book was great! I cannot wait to read the other two books in the series!
I do love how the author had Rhonda in the book. An actual Prepper! I hope we get to see more of her and her family - maybe they make their way to the hotel? Without Rhonda I’m not sure how long the family is going to last! None of them know how to shoot a gun, how to preserve food, nothing!
I was hoping the girls would make it to the hotel by the end of book 1 but it stopped just shy of that happening so now we’ll have to see how book 2 starts.
I think the book is pretty honest about what would happen if an actual EMP hit the US. People are not kind and I feel they turn to violence almost immediately. This book had very real scenarios of what would happen.
I do love how the author had Rhonda in the book. An actual Prepper! I hope we get to see more of her and her family - maybe they make their way to the hotel? Without Rhonda I’m not sure how long the family is going to last! None of them know how to shoot a gun, how to preserve food, nothing!
I was hoping the girls would make it to the hotel by the end of book 1 but it stopped just shy of that happening so now we’ll have to see how book 2 starts.
I think the book is pretty honest about what would happen if an actual EMP hit the US. People are not kind and I feel they turn to violence almost immediately. This book had very real scenarios of what would happen.
April 15, 2021
I always lose myself in Grace Hamilton's books. The story jumps out at you on the first page and the pace never stops. You have a family that are not together when the world erupts that find they need to head home to the only people who are going to help them through the EMP catastrophe. Love the family members and you feel the desperation each feels about getting home to the other family member. The Riley's are on the move to protect what they have and each other. Do they find the best of mankind or the worst? Maybe a little of both? Can't wait for the next book to come out. I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
July 23, 2021
Family separated by EMP
I choose this 5 star rating because of the multiple activities that went on with different members of the family. The relationships were key as those that were trapped away from home sole goal was to return home. Those st home worked to safeguard the home place so the others would have a place to return. The experiences each group had made the story very Interesting. I was not sure that David with his heart disease would have really been able to tolerate the long walk as well as the episode of "infection." I would recommend this book to anyone looking for a story with action or anyone who is already a fan of post-apocalytic novels.
I choose this 5 star rating because of the multiple activities that went on with different members of the family. The relationships were key as those that were trapped away from home sole goal was to return home. Those st home worked to safeguard the home place so the others would have a place to return. The experiences each group had made the story very Interesting. I was not sure that David with his heart disease would have really been able to tolerate the long walk as well as the episode of "infection." I would recommend this book to anyone looking for a story with action or anyone who is already a fan of post-apocalytic novels.
October 12, 2021
Characters are so sad
The thing in a pistol is a magazine not a clip. I'm amazed how millennial authors have grown men cry all the time over stuff girls wouldn't, and its the women who tearfully grow a pear.The authors story line falters old character just appear, He forgets sequence of events from one telling to the next.why do guys always have to be babies and the women confused but always forgiven hero's? Yes I used the male version of hero cause millennial authors wish guys were girls and girls the new but not improved Tarzan i'll read the next one. I love to see how theses new authors thinks and I'll be prepared if the end comes not to die of laughter.
The thing in a pistol is a magazine not a clip. I'm amazed how millennial authors have grown men cry all the time over stuff girls wouldn't, and its the women who tearfully grow a pear.The authors story line falters old character just appear, He forgets sequence of events from one telling to the next.why do guys always have to be babies and the women confused but always forgiven hero's? Yes I used the male version of hero cause millennial authors wish guys were girls and girls the new but not improved Tarzan i'll read the next one. I love to see how theses new authors thinks and I'll be prepared if the end comes not to die of laughter.
July 24, 2022
End of the world and after the disaster books hold a certain fascination to me. Life as we know it can change in an instant as it does for the characters in Grace Hamilton's series. I have read alot of her books and they are all fresh, no retelling the same story over and over. The fact that she can write so many unique versions of a catastrophe meaans I am well educated on how to get from point a to point b before, during and after an event.
Erupting Trouble is the first book in this newest series and again, Hamilton gives us a unique family of characters and places them all in danger. But this family will prevail, at least through a couple of more journeys.
Erupting Trouble is the first book in this newest series and again, Hamilton gives us a unique family of characters and places them all in danger. But this family will prevail, at least through a couple of more journeys.
May 9, 2021
Erupting Trouble is the first book in the EMP Catastrophe series and takes place just after the massive EMP event. In this book we get to know the main characters and how they and everyone around them react to the catastrophe. From the realistic situations to the amazing world this author has created this is another pager turning story. This is a great start to the EMP Catastrophe series and I can't wait to read the rest of this series to see what happens next. I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book.
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June 5, 2021Crushed Idealists!
A family spread out hundreds of miles from home when the unthinkable happened. Witnessing a Dad and son, Mother and daughter, and Grandma and grandson on the home front to deal with each situation. How everything you believe in and how you live your life crumbles in front of you. Either change or be a victim. A page turner. I wanted to see what happened next. Author built characters and the dynamics between each family member. I can't wait to read next in series.
A family spread out hundreds of miles from home when the unthinkable happened. Witnessing a Dad and son, Mother and daughter, and Grandma and grandson on the home front to deal with each situation. How everything you believe in and how you live your life crumbles in front of you. Either change or be a victim. A page turner. I wanted to see what happened next. Author built characters and the dynamics between each family member. I can't wait to read next in series.
June 17, 2021
Erupting Trouble. Grace Hamilton
The lights went out. Initially people weren't concerned. It happens. They didn't come back on. Then realization begins to come into play. There not coming back on. People are stranded. All computers are down. Cars, won't start. Then David and his son Mathew realize what has happened. An EMP has happened. But, who did it and why? Non stop suspense, action. Then realization sets in. It's a new world. Only the strong and people willing to do whatever it takes will survive. An excellent read!!
The lights went out. Initially people weren't concerned. It happens. They didn't come back on. Then realization begins to come into play. There not coming back on. People are stranded. All computers are down. Cars, won't start. Then David and his son Mathew realize what has happened. An EMP has happened. But, who did it and why? Non stop suspense, action. Then realization sets in. It's a new world. Only the strong and people willing to do whatever it takes will survive. An excellent read!!
January 25, 2022
Amazing story. Writing this review after finishing all 3 in the series.
Grace is so good at writing real and flawed characters. Even her main ‘good guys� do stupid stuff, make mistakes and just screw up from time to time. The thing is that’s how real people are. You will always learn from her stories too. Many survival lessons are to be learned here. Do yourself a favor and pick up this or any of her series, you will not regret it!
Mathew Berry is a great narrator.
I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.
Grace is so good at writing real and flawed characters. Even her main ‘good guys� do stupid stuff, make mistakes and just screw up from time to time. The thing is that’s how real people are. You will always learn from her stories too. Many survival lessons are to be learned here. Do yourself a favor and pick up this or any of her series, you will not regret it!
Mathew Berry is a great narrator.
I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.
May 8, 2022
This was my first experience with Grace Hamilton's work, and I enjoyed it a lot. The book started out slow, but once it grabbed my attention, I was enthralled. I stayed listening to the audiobook until late in the night. The characters were just a regular family thrown into a nightmarish situation, and I can't wait to pick up the next book in the series. Matthew E Berry's narration was good and kept my attention. I requested this audiobook from Audiobooks Unleashed and I have voluntarily left this review.
April 19, 2021
This is one of my favorite starts to a Grace Hamilton series. We have such a mix of characters thrown together, that I could put names to them of my friends/family of who I think would react what way. The need to protect and survive is stronger in some people than others...the ability to always see good in people is too strong in some. It's a fantastic mix that will keep you turning the pages!
September 29, 2021
This story is like all the others in this genre. It's a tired, old plot with underdeveloped, mostly unlikable characters and no real substance to the storey. Worst of all, it's unfinished.
Matthew E. Berry performs well enough, but there's no way I can recommend a book that is incomplete.
Note: I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.
Matthew E. Berry performs well enough, but there's no way I can recommend a book that is incomplete.
Note: I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.
May 28, 2022
Okay yes like some of the other reviewers I did want to shake Matthew and I struggled a bit with some of the story lines but overall this was a refreshing take on this genre and there were some very interesting characters. I would have liked to have known more about the why but that didn't fit within the story parameters so get it.
The narrator suited the story.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review
The narrator suited the story.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review
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