AFTER SUNDOWN – Linda Howard & Linda Jones
Harper Collins
ISBN: 978-0-06-284263-3 (HC)
March 31, 2020
Contemporary Fiction

Wears Valley, Tennessee – Present Day

Ex-Military man Ben Jernigan has lived on Cove Mountain above Wears Valley for two years. His home is isolated which is just exactly how he likes it. He's never really connected with anyone in the valley, though he knows who most of the residents are. He has no desire to be social and fiercely guards his privacy. He rarely interacts with the people of Wear Valley but has been a little intrigued with the owner of the grocery/gas station on the highway. When he gets an alert on his phone, and then a call from an old army friend, he learns that powerful coronal mass ejection (CME) will hit the atmosphere in about 36 hours. When it hits, it's expected all electric grids and satellites will go down.

Ben is prepared for the disaster, because he's always prepared, however he decides to drive down the mountain and fill his gas tank and pick up a few more provisions.

Sela Gordon returned to Wears Valley after her divorce and lives down the street from her Aunt Carol and Carol's teenaged granddaughter Olivia. Sela owns the grocery/gas station is always a little tongue tied when Ben comes into the store, and her heart beats rapidly. She's not sure if it's because he's gorgeous or because he's scary. He never says much, but then Sela is content with the silence as she prefers to stay in the background.

When Ben enters the store, Sela notices he is wandering the aisles and purchasing things he never has before. Normally he comes in grabs what he needs and leaves. Sela is tempted to speak to him, but she likes to play it safe and never take chances, and while Ben is extremely attractive, he's also a little intimidating. Sela is shocked when after Ben pays for his gas and groceries, he warns her about the coming CME and advises her to prepare for up to a year with no power.

Ben had no intention of telling Sela about the CME, but he's always been attracted to her, though he has no plans to get to know her. His warning is completely out of character for him, and he leaves as soon as possible. He doesn't want to be responsible for Sela or anyone else.

Sela shares the information she got from Ben with her Aunt Carol, not sure if she believes him or not. Wanting to play it safe she leaves Carol to run the store while she goes into the valley and tries to stock up with what she thinks she and her small family will need. She decides if nothing happens the next day, she will feel a little foolish, but if something does happen, she wants her family to survive.

When the announcement that the CME is coming is finally on the news, Sela begins to believe Ben was telling her the truth. When the CME hits, life in Wears Valley and around the world will change dramatically, and Sela will be thrust into the role of leader, a role her introverted self never wanted.

As problems arise Sela is forced to ask Ben for help. The community has organized, but outside forces want to take what they have. Will Ben help Sela and the residents of Wears Valley, and can the good people of the community stay safe when some in the community want to take everything?

AFTERSUNDOWN is a thrilling almost post-apocalyptic story. The characters are interesting, and the way the story unfolds in regard to how people react to disasters is realistically told. The disaster brings out the best in most people, but also the worst in others. It will be up to Sela, Ben, and the people of Wears Valley to determine if they can make it until the lights come back on. Linda Howard and Linda Jones make a good writing team, the story flows smoothly with emotion and tension that will keep you ready until the last delicious page.

Terrie Figueroa