Showing posts with label Collapse Series. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Collapse Series. Show all posts

Saturday, February 25, 2017

"State of Allegiance" by Summer Lane

GUEST POST and GIVEAWAY
State of Allegiance
(Collapse Series Book 9)
by Summer Lane


State of Allegiance, the ninth book in Summer Lane's Collapse Series, has just been released. Also available: State of Emergency, State of Chaos, State of Rebellion (read my blog post), State of Pursuit (read my blog post), State of Alliance (read my blog post), State of Vengeance (read my blog post), State of Destruction (read my blog post), and State of Fear (read my blog post).


This book blitz and giveaway is brought to you by Xpresso Book Tours.


More books by this author: the Zero Trilogy, which complements the Collapse Series - Day Zero (read my blog post), Day One (read my blog post), and End of Day (read my blog post); Bravo: Apocalypse Mission, the first book in the Bravo Saga (read my blog post).

Description
Be brave. Be vigilant. But above all, be loyal.
In the wake of a dangerous but successful mission to Yukon City in Alaska, Cassidy Hart now finds herself back in California, at the naval air station in San Diego. Together, she and Chris now face their most terrifying threat yet: nuclear destruction.
Surviving in a world gone nuclear is easier said than done. Faced with the prospect of being wiped off the face of the earth by Omega’s nuclear arsenal, Cassidy, Chris and their fellow rebel friends stage an incredible, daring journey into the Pacific Rim with the hope that they will be able to seize a weapon that could turn the tide of the war in the militia’s favor.
The clock of the apocalypse is counting down.
Choices must be made. Relationships will be strained. True love will be put to the ultimate test.
It’s militias versus Omega. Hope versus destruction.
Where does your allegiance lie?
Choose carefully.

Excerpt
Click below to read an excerpt.


Praise for the Book
"I absolutely love Summer Lane’s work. I read State of Allegiance in under a day and just could not put it down. Summer does a fantastic job of weaving a story that is engaging and interesting, and keeping you interested. I’m looking forward to the next book." ~ C. Butler
"Summer Lane never fails to deliver. Action packed from beginning to end. I love this whole series but this is one of my favorite favorites . Thanks Summer for keeping me on the edge of my seat." ~ ntracefan..Jaci Baze
"I think this has to be one of my favorite Collapse Series books. Summer Lane does an excellent job fleshing out her characters and giving them added depth which makes the stories she tells even better." ~ Janiece Rhodes
"I'm running out of good things to say about Summer Lane and the Collapse Series! Every time I start one of these books I don't put it down until I am finished, and State of Allegiance was no different. Summer really makes these characters real and that makes reading these books even better." ~ Athea
"Another great read from Summer Lane! I love how characters from the past made reappearances in this book and the introduction of new strong characters." ~ Mindy

Guest Post by the Author
Staying Alive
Cassidy Hart is still alive! After 9 installments in the Collapse Series, she still manages to evade death, and to outsmart her enemies. Some people might say that she is "too lucky", but let’s face it: who wants to read about a character that’s going to die? In fact, the entire premise of the Collapse Series is a group of extraordinarily driven people who will do anything and everything to survive. That’s what makes their story worth telling.
The concept of living off the grid is one that utterly fascinates me. I have an inner "wild woman", so to speak. I feed her by reading books about the wilderness, survival and military adventures. I think that the apocalypse is the perfect setting for my characters because it throws them into an environment that makes everything harder, crazier and more dangerous.
As a post-apocalyptic author, I definitely believe that it’s important to be prepared for any emergency or disaster! I have jugs and jugs of pure water stored away in my closet, along with cans of food, matches, blankets, boots and more. You never know when something is going to shift in your world and force you to take major evasive action. And to answer a question that is frequently asked of me: yes, I have become much more prepared for an emergency over the course of writing this series, and all of the stories contained within its universe (16 books so far!).
Staying alive, at least in Collapse, is entirely dependent on three elements: adaptation, skill, and luck. Cassidy’s ability to adapt to the new world was the first thing that helped her to survive. Second, not only did she adapt, but she forged new, strong skills that put her at the top of the food chain. Lastly, she’s had a good amount of luck – all good heroes do! Yet her luck is primarily made by herself and by her friends. What’s the lesson here? When in doubt, make your own luck!
So what do I think are the main things that we can do, here in our everyday life, to stay alive? Here’s my advice:
1. Always be prepared for the worst, but hope for the best.
2. Never underestimate the power of scared people to do stupid things (and avoid those people!).
3. Keep food, water, medicine, clothing and any weapons (your rubber-band gun counts, right? *wink*) easily accessible at all times. You never know when disaster may strike!
4. Never assume that you are safe. Like Cassidy Hart, be aware that every moment is dangerous, and be on your guard!
5. Consider acquiring an animal companion, like a dog. They are great guardians and faithful friends.
Remember, the apocalypse will show you no mercy ... be ready to fight back!

About the Author
Summer Lane is the #1 Bestselling Author of the Collapse Series, Zero Trilogy, Bravo Saga, Collapse: The Illustrated Guide, and the adventure thriller, Unbreakable SEAL.
Summer owns WB Publishing. She is an accomplished journalist and creative writing teacher. She also owns an online magazine, Writing Belle, where she has interviewed and worked with countless authors from around the globe.
Summer lives in the Central Valley of California with her husband, where she enjoys reading, collecting tea, visiting the beach and the mountains, and counting down the days until she has her very own puppy (if you’ve read Bravo: Apocalypse Mission, you’ll understand).

Giveaway
Enter the blitz-wide giveaway for a chance to win some great prizes (open internationally).

Links

Friday, July 22, 2016

"State of Fear" by Summer Lane

INTERVIEW and GIVEAWAY
State of Fear
(Collapse Series Book 8)
by Summer Lane


State of Fear, the eighth book in Summer Lane's Collapse Series, has just been released. Also available: State of Emergency, State of Chaos, State of Rebellion (read my blog post), State of Pursuit (read my blog post), State of Alliance (read my blog post), State of Vengeance (read my blog post), and State of Destruction (read my blog post).


This book blitz and giveaway is brought to you by Xpresso Book Tours.


More books by this author: the Zero Trilogy, which complements the Collapse Series - Day Zero (read my blog post), Day One (read my blog post), and End of Day (read my blog post); Bravo: Apocalypse Mission, the first book in the Bravo Saga (read my blog post).

Description
The world has gone nuclear, and the militias have met their first major defeat.
Torn and desperate, Cassidy Hart and her team make a difficult decision to relocate their forces to the cold, barren wilderness of Alaska. In the snowy mountains of the Gates of the Arctic, Yukon City has become a stronghold for survivors of the apocalypse.
Or has it?
Commander Chris Young remains in California to combat the shadowy forces of Omega, while Cassidy attempts to rebuild the militia’s strength at Yukon City. Uriah True has ideas of his own when it comes to surviving, and the militias are splitting apart.
Veronica Klaus is unleashing hell upon the west coast. The true, terrifying nature of Omega is revealed at last. A dangerous, desperate move is made to find reinforcements and seize a weapon that could give the militias an upper hand.
The downside?
It just might kill everyone on planet earth.
Cassidy, Chris and their friends have made it this far.
How much longer can they survive?
How much longer can the world survive?

Excerpt
Click below to read an excerpt.


Praise for the Book
"This series just keeps getting better. This book is full of action and I found myself in suspense throughout most of the story. I appreciate that this is a series that my son can enjoy as much as I do." ~ Amazon Customer
"State of Fear is full of action, suspense, and had me rooting for our beloved couples once again. State of Fear is a page turner I just couldn't put down, I had to know what was going to happen next! Bravo (pun intended) Summer Lane!" ~ alicia
"Each book demonstrates her progression and growth as an author. This book is well-written, flows well, and is a great read. This is a worthy volume in the series. Buy it. Read it. Enjoy it." ~ J. W. Cejka III
"I absolutely love every book in this series and this is another great cliff hanger! This is another that does not have Chris active but that does not mean there is no action which is what I love! Great book, great plot, can't wait for the next!" ~ Valerie Guevara
"I have to say that turned out to be one of my favorite books in the Collapse Series. I love Summer's writing and she doesn't fall short on this book. I like that there is a little romance in it but it takes a backseat to the action. State of Fear will not disappoint you if you are a fan of the series." ~ Lisa

Interview with the Author
This is the eighth book in the Collapse Series. How do you keep the storyline and world going this far into the series?
The issue with Cassidy Hart is not running out of stories – it’s containing them! Cassidy’s world is monstrously huge and the options for story pathways are endless, so I really had to zero in on what I wanted the eighth book to be. In terms of technicality and research, this was a challenging book – but it was also exciting to write. I was able to utilize some elements that I have wanted to use for a long time, like submarines and ice ... trust me, it’ll make sense when you read the book!
Do you find it difficult to write about one set of characters for ten books?
No, I don’t. The longer you’re with your characters, the better you get to know them. In this case, I have had the opportunity to get familiar with my characters to such a level that their development and characteristics are incredibly organic. It’s a real blast!
Are you Team Uriah or Team Chris?
A lot of people like to think that Uriah is the perfect guy for Cassidy – while some much prefer Chris, since he is the original male lead (and he’s pretty awesome, in all honesty!). I have my own secret thoughts on this subject, and I don’t like to project my opinions on such an emotional element of the series. I leave that to my readers. But I will say that, in the end, Cassidy is a strong woman who doesn’t need anybody. She’s one of those kickass characters that can survive no matter what – and anyone she falls in love with is just a bonus.  I don’t say to belittle the importance of the male leads, but to stress that Cassidy is just that kind of character at this point in the series.
What’s with the title? Why "fear"? What’s there to fear in this book?
The title is really a projection of the underlying theme of this book. My characters are thrust into a type of warfare that’s really unlike anything they’ve ever seen before. They go to the barren wilds of Alaska, where the icy glaciers surround them and the dark winter solstice blots out the sun. Omega could kill them all – so many terrible things have happened, and could continue to happen. Cassidy is doubting herself and her relationships. This book is about exploring all of those fears, and then figuring out if our heroes are going to succumb to the darkness or stand up and kick its butt. It’s gritty, it’s dark and it’s intense. It’s my kind of story, and that’s why I wrote it.
Speaking of State of Fear, what is your favorite thing about this particular novel?
The ending. I love the way the book ends. I won’t confirm whether it’s happy or shocking or sad, but it’s something that I have envisioned for a while and I can’t wait for readers to get to it. I think they’re going to be very, very surprised. Let the theories begin! **wink**
The Collapse Series will cap at 10 installments. What’s it going to be like writing the final two books?
Probably fairly emotional. **grabs tissues to dab at eyes** By the time the series caps, I will have spent 5 years working on it. That’s a lot of emotional energy and devotion. Saying goodbye is always tough, but it’s a part of the writing process. I keep telling people that State of Fear is like a prologue to the final two chapters of the series. The final installments will be more intense, grittier and more shocking (no spoilers!). I am putting all of my energy and time into writing them this fall and winter, so look out!
What are you going to do when Collapse finishes?
I have addressed this question a couple of times already, but I’ll just put it out there again: I have more ideas and more stories within the world of Collapse, and even outside of it. I will be working on a project as soon as Collapse is finished, and I think my readers will enjoy it immensely. Meanwhile, the final installment to the Bravo Saga releases this fall.
What inspires you to continue writing these rapid-fire apocalypse novels?
The world around me. The "what if". The possibilities, the imagined scenarios, the technology of the modern world, the gritty man-to-man struggles of the old west, the tactical prowess of a soldier. Everything around me is a story, and I love to tell those stories to whoever will read them.

About the Author
Summer Lane is the #1 Bestselling Author of the Collapse Series, the Zero Trilogy, and the Bravo Saga. She is also the author of Collapse: The Illustrated Guide, a #1 bestselling graphic companion to her phenomenal original series.
She is the owner of WB Publishing and Writing Belle, an online magazine where she has worked with countless authors from around the globe. Summer is also an accomplished journalist and creative writing teacher.
Summer lives in the Central Valley of California, where she spends her days writing, collecting tea, and writing some more.


Giveaway
Enter the blitz-wide giveaway for a chance to win a Collapse Gift Pack (including a $40 Amazon gift card, an autographed surprise book, and an exclusive piece of artwork featuring Cassidy Hart, from artist Oskari Niittymaki, the artist behind Collapse:The Illustrated Guide) OR a $15 Barnes & Noble gift card (open internationally).

Links

Saturday, January 30, 2016

"State of Destruction" by Summer Lane

INTERVIEW and GIVEAWAY
State of Destruction
(Collapse Series Book 7)
by Summer Lane


State of Destruction, the seventh book in Summer Lane's Collapse Series, has just been released. Also available: State of Emergency, State of Chaos, State of Rebellion (read my blog post), State of Pursuit (read my blog post), State of Alliance (read my blog post), and State of Vengeance (read my blog post).


This book blitz and giveaway is brought to you by Xpresso Book Tours.


For more books by this author, please check out the Zero Trilogy, which complements the Collapse Series: Day Zero (read my blog post), Day One (read my blog post), and End of Day (read my blog post).

Description
The destruction of California is at hand.
Cassidy Hart and Chris Young have survived a dangerous mission into the heart of Sky City, a secret Omega base hidden deep in the mountains, but their vengeance has come with a price. The dark, ominous cloud of nuclear war threatens to destroy everything they love, and they are forced to make one final stand against Omega’s western invasion force.
San Francisco.
Cassidy and her friends retreat to Alcatraz Island, regrouping with their lethal strike team, the Angels of Death. Their mission: infiltrate the most important Omega base on the west coast, and assassinate everyone they find there, including a new and dangerous enemy, the ruthless Omega leader Veronica Klaus.
The clock is ticking.
Ashes rain from the sky. Cassidy Hart must make a choice.
What is more important? Victory, love or revenge?
Omega is the enemy’s name.
Survival of the fittest is their game.
Cassidy Hart will not stop until she has saved California … but will she be too late?

Excerpt
The dark, dank smell of the cave seeps into my bones and chills my soul. Dim, flickering firelight crawls up the walls, throwing a shadow across my face. I hug my blanket tightly around my shoulders, shivering. It is painfully silent.
There are people everywhere—about thirty of us—but there is no talking. No whispering, no laughing. We are too tired to talk. Too cold. Small fires have been lit here in the cave, but it is hardly enough to remedy the cloying chill of the winter storm.
It is all sharp angles and rocky slopes in here. There is no soft surface, no privacy. Most people are asleep right now. It has become the only way to make the time pass quicker. Waiting, as we are, for the storms to end. For this harsh winter to be over.
But it is not getting better.
It is getting worse.
I cough and shudder. We have been trapped here for weeks. I feel as if the walls are falling down around me, devouring me. I close my eyes tightly, brushing my calloused fingers over the familiar, worn grip of my rifle.
Soon, this will all be over.
Soon, we will all be dead.

Praise for the Book
"Lane is surely worth picking up and reading, whoever you may be." ~ Daniel M. Harrison, #1 Bestselling Author of Butterflies and Editor of MarxRand
"Usually by book #7 of a series I am just skimming through to get to the end because by this time I am super bored of the characters and the same ol' thing happening over and over. BUT!!!!! not this time. These characters are constantly evolving and growing and there is not a boring sentence in this book. I am chomping at the bit for book #8." ~ Amazon Customer
"This seventh installment is darker than the others are. Omega is always a few steps ahead... Hope is dream difficult to hold but the team keeps battling on even if the odds are not on their favor... And that's what differentiates them from the Omega! Keep on Summer Lane cannot wait for the next one...." ~ Amazon Customer
"Love this series!! Can't wait for the next book. I read a lot and often get bored with a series because it becomes predictable, never the case here. I can't wait to read more. I may have to reread the whole series it will be hard to find a book to read after this." ~ Amazon Customer
"Another great addition to Summer Lane's arsenal. In the seventh book of the Cassidy Hart series, I feel we see her evolving once again. She has gone from a frightened child to warrior to command. Although the love story of Cassidy and Chris takes a backseat in this book, it remains a constant between them. It seems to me that Cassidy also has found her humanity again when confronted by the glut of destruction around her. I am so looking forward to what the next book reveals. Great read." ~ D. A. Bettin

Interview with the Author
How does it feel to be releasing the seventh installment of this series?
Surreal! I released the first installment three years ago, and it’s been a whirlwind of books and apocalyptic plot points ever since. Every book is a little trickier to write than the previous one. I like it that way, because I am continually challenging myself as a storyteller, and as a writer.
What is different about State of Destruction in comparison to the previous books?
This one is definitely darker, more intense. The novel previous to Destruction – Vengeance – was all about anger and revenge. It was about Cassidy finally reaching a tipping point in this apocalyptic war. This one is about the aftermath – the effects of nuclear destruction, the toll that war takes on your relationships, and the reality of death. It’s got lots of adventure and a little mystery, of course, but I really love the darker tones of this book.
You have two male protagonists who are central to Cassidy’s life: Chris Young and Uriah True. Who is your favorite?
Chris Young was the original male hero of my novels, and he will always remain my number one guy! What I love about bringing Uriah True into the books as a more central character is that it creates tension – and a little jealousy, maybe – between Chris and Cassidy. Relationships are hard enough to maintain in a normal, civilized society. Imagine keeping one solid in the apocalypse, in a warzone!
Uriah brings out Cassidy’s darker side – her vengeful nature, her capacity to become a ruthless warrior. Chris harbors the side of Cassidy that shows compassion and reason. Both of them contribute to Cassidy’s character development quite nicely, and that will continue to show as the series progresses toward its conclusion.
Who is your favorite supporting character?
It’s a draw between Uriah and Manny. I love Uriah’s dark, brooding nature, and by contrast, I enjoy the comedic relief and oftentimes much-needed common sense that Manny brings to the table.
The Collapse Series has used California’s settings all throughout the books. This time you’re using San Francisco. Why?
I have always had this vision (as I’m sure many other post-apocalyptic writers have) of using the majestic city by the sea as a backdrop for some dramatic story. I had a blast using the Golden Gate Bridge and the Muir Woods, as well as the baseball stadium right on the water and the signature trolleys of Market Street. I felt like San Francisco gave Destruction some fresh flavor.
How far does this novel take us into the "destruction" of the apocalypse?
Pretty far. This one brings a whole new level of reality to the gritty environment of a post-nuclear world. Things could get worse; things could get better. You just don’t know until you read the book!
This is your seventh installment in the Collapse Series! When is the series ending?
The Collapse Series will end at the tenth installment, but that does not mean that the characters are going away forever. The Collapse Series does exactly what it’s name suggests: it follows the collapse of society and civilization. After I’m done with that, I can move to what happens after.
When is Book 8 releasing?
Summer 2016. The next book will take Cassidy somewhere she has never been before – far away, to a place full of surprises. I can’t say too much, because I don’t want to spoil State of Destruction! Let’s just say it will be pretty cold where she’s going.
Any other books?
I announced that I’m working on releasing another series this year, the Bravo Saga. This series follows the adventures of the fierce and loyal Bravo, the German Shepherd companion of Elle Costas in the Zero Trilogy. He’s one of the most popular characters – if not THE most popular – that I have ever created for readers, so I’m excited to share his story next.
How do you write so many books a year?
Hmm. I’m not really sure. I’ve been so incredibly busy for three years – I haven’t stopped to think or breathe. It’s definitely a positive thing, but I will probably start to roll back to 2-3 book releases a year after the Collapse Series has finished. Just so I can have a little downtime between books. It’s important to rest your brain when you’ve been creating non-stop for such a long period of time.

About the Author
Summer Lane is the #1 Bestselling Author of the Collapse Series and the compelling tie-in novella books of the Zero Trilogy, as well as the upcoming Bravo Saga (releasing Spring 2016). She is also the author of Collapse: The Illustrated Guide, a #1 bestselling graphic companion to her phenomenal original series.
She is the owner of WB Publishing and Writing Belle, an online magazine. Summer is also an accomplished journalist and creative writing teacher.
Summer lives in the Central Valley of California, where she spends her days writing, teaching, and writing some more. When she is not writing, she enjoys leisurely visits with friends at coffee shops, movie dates, reading and spending the day at the beach or mountains.

Giveaway
Enter the blitz-wide giveaway for a chance to win a 7” Kindle Fire Tablet, an autographed copy of a special edition piece of concept work from the Collapse world, or an autographed special edition Chris Young print (US/Canada only).

Links