The Dark Roads

By: Wayne Lemmons

Narrated by: Greta Gorsuch

In 2020 the sun betrays the inhabitants of planet Earth, finally penetrating an abused ozone layer, and scorching the world and decimating its population. A group of men including Richie, Buddy, and the unlikely Elvis resolve that times are way too hot in Miami, Florida, and decide to trek out, on their own, as far to the north as they can make it.

Richie, the leader of their faction, suggests Alaska as the most favorable destination and the journey begins. They find themselves navigating the US and Canadian highways through long and lonely nights, sleeping in underground dwellings to avoid the deadly radiation of the daylight hours. Throughout their travels they scavenge limited supplies in department stores and gas stations in order to sate thirst, hunger, and the need for ammunition to protect against the looming threat of human nature.

As the three lifelong friends make their way toward Alaska, they encounter new friends in the form of a strong, but damaged, woman who will hold them even closer together, a young girl and her substitute father, and an improbable stray cat. They find grave dangers in the forms of a loving father and his two seemingly innocent daughters, groups of cannibals and the people trying to avoid them, and a lack of easily procured supplies that have met the same fate as the charred plants and animals of the globe. The sun, though the most obvious hazard to their journey, is seemingly the easiest to overcome. Only determination, cunning, and loyalty to each other can ensure their survival in this savage existence.

This is the first full-length published novel by Wayne Lemmons. Soon to follow is the prequel, Finding the Dark Roads. The prequel will describe the friendship of our main characters and the trials they're put through from the leaving of their home to their cellar squat in Wyoming, where we join them in The Dark Roads.

©2016 Wayne Lemmons (P)2017 Wayne Lemmons

A Great book and excellently written

If you could sum up The Dark Roads in three words, what would they be?

Dark, friendship, apocalypse

Who was your favorite character and why?

Elvis he was the glue that held the group together

What does Greta Gorsuch bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

I really like to voice it was easy to listen to

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

Apocalypse and friendship

Any additional comments?

The dark roads
Wayne Lemmons

The sun has penetrated an already abused atmosphere scorching the earth. This story follows a group of characters so well written that they felt like friends. There are jokes even in serious situations and horrendous events that the group have to deal with. This is the type of group that as long as they have each other they will survive anything. They have to travel at night as the sun kills everything very fast. They group are journeying from Florida to the north hoping for cooler weather. One of the characters has Down Syndrome and it was lovely to first have someone with a disability in a story and second to not be treated as anyone different. The characters Richie, Buddy, Elvis, Amanda, Dylan, Amber and especially King were so well written that I really felt for them and I felt sorry for Mr Dundel and the hard choice he had to make.

Well written and a breath of fresh air into a tired genre. Much better than the road too.

Can't wait for more

Was a great story can't wait for the rest I am on the edge of my seat waiting.

Finally! A NEW scenario!

I love post apocalyptic fiction but it's all the same recently. This was different. Also, it wasn't all Doom and Gloom. Funny, sad, bittersweet, scary and engaging. The narrator did a great job too.