The Storm Before the Storm: A Novel of Preparedness and Survival

American Sundown Series

By: Joe Russell

Narrated by: Kevin Pierce

As a prepper, Dave Galanos has always made an effort to do what he can to prepare for the unexpected. But when something goes terribly wrong halfway through a backpacking trip with his wife and family, his world is turned upside down, and he is tested in a way he had never planned for.

The trip into the Alleghenys of West Virginia starts off well enough but takes an unexpected turn when the two women, Sandra and her sister, Jen, leave camp and don’t return from a nearby stream. Dave and Mike, Jen’s new boyfriend, go looking for them and find evidence that the women may have been kidnapped. Miles from civilization and with no working cell phones, Dave and Mike will set off to find Sandra and Jen, unconnected and unconcerned about what is happening in the world around them.

Dave has been hardened by real-world self-defense scenarios in the past and has naturally equipped himself with tools that may be required for an unexpected circumstance. He will have to work together with Mike, who he sees as more of an annoyance and a liability than a useful ally. They will have to work together to beat the clock, the elements, and a group of dangerous locals in order to rescue their companions in this realistic, rugged, and action-packed story of preparedness and survival.

The storm is just beginning. Will Dave and his companions have what it takes to survive?

The Storm Before the Storm is the premier novel by postapocalyptic author Joe Russell and the first installment in the American Sundown series.

©2017 Joe Russell (P)2018 Joe Russell

Rising to the occasion.

The debut novel of a new series starts out with a warm-up adventure before the stuff really does hit the fan. Our family in focus consists of two couples; Dave, his wife Sandra, her sister Jen, and Jen’s boyfriend Mike. Our group is backpacking in the Allegheny Mountains of West Virginia when the two women disappear from camp. Dave and Mike have never gotten along very well together, but now they must put differences aside to find out what happened and bring their women home. This is a good story of people rising to the occasion to accomplish a mission regardless of the difficulties. As this is the first book of a series it concludes with the introduction to the next volume. This audiobook was given by the author, narrator, or publisher at no cost in exchange for an unbiased review via Audiobook Boom.

Excellent read

Awesome book. Having been born, raised and worked most of my life in the areas described in the book it made it a extra special read. Looking forward to more books in this series. Walter

worth listening to

anyone else catch there is no way a maglite with a led word work after a emp.

This writer knows his topic very well

I was hooked from the first 10 minutes and listened to it in two days.

God-fearing prepper finds trouble in WV mountains

Dave and Sandra are preppers who enjoy hiking the West Virginia mountains. They haven't had the best luck avoiding criminals, though, despite both being God-fearing Christians who live quiet, responsible lives. When a weekend camping trip goes completely off the rails, Dave will put his life on the line to ensure the safety of his family. But just as one hellish nightmare ends, another horror is awaiting them on the horizon.

This installment of the Sundown series is not a post-apocalyptic novel, but instead focuses on prepping, outdoor survival, and personal safety. There are descriptions of violence being committed to and by the main characters, but it isn't gratuitous and serves to illustrate teaching points in the story. A major twist at the very end sets up the next installment, and turns this story on its head. I'm already anticipating the next book!

Kevin Pierce is a flawless narrator, as usual! He brings a consistent and reliable professionalism to this story and to all of his performances, which is something I respect and have always enjoyed.

I was voluntarily provided this review copy audiobook at no charge. My review is unbiased and the opinions expressed herein are 100% my own.