After Sundown

A Novel

By: Linda Howard, Linda Jones

Narrated by: Melissa Moran

Length: 11 hrs and 37 mins

Publisher's Summary

Danger brings together two guarded hearts in a battle for survival in this irresistible story from New York Times best-selling authors Linda Howard and Linda Jones.

Sela Gordon, the shy owner of a Tennessee general store, finds safety in solitude. But if anyone can pierce her protective shell it’s the handsome, mysterious ex-military man living alone in the wilds of Cove Mountain. For two years, he’s kept his distance - until the day he appears to warn her that a catastrophic solar storm capable of taking down the power grid is coming. Now, Sela must find the courage to become the leader Wears Valley needs.

Bitter experience has taught Ben Jernigan it’s best to look out for number one. For two years the former soldier has lived in a self-imposed exile, using a top-notch security system to keep people away. But he had to let Sela know about the impending threat - and now the quiet and undeniably sexy woman is making it too easy for him to lower his guard.

As panic spreads, Sela and Ben discover that in the dark, cut off from the outside world, there’s no more playing it safe - in life or in love. 

©2019 Linda Howard and Linda Jones (P)2019 HarperCollins Publishers

Do Not Buy this ABRIDGED copy!

Interesting how their post-CME world, while minus electricity, also deals with shortages of food, basic supplies and gasoline. Shades of our current deprivations!
This is basically a romance written by Linda Jones with coaching by Linda Howard. I’m still a HUGE fan of L.H. so I know she writes her characters with much more depth BUT there could be a lot missing - 2 hours worth - of the story because Audible chose to give me an ABRIDGED copy of the book I ordered months ago. WHICH I WILL BE RETURNING! There was only one choice for preordering this book months ago and I take issue that either Audible or the publisher tried to slip me a crappy abridged copy in place of the full book. Who even abridges anymore? What idiot guy made that decision? I can visualize the impaired thought process: “It’s a romance. Romance readers must be mentally impaired to read that drivel. They won’t notice us slipping them a cheaper copy of the book.”

I enjoyed the romance. I will insist Audible give me the full-length copy in exchange, which I will then read and, hopefully, be able to provide a better review about the characters.
In Jones’ world-building I get that the Cove is a mostly secluded community where everyone knows everyone else so they were protected from most of the horrors of “the outside world”. I liked that they came together to help each other.
Even so, I was a bit annoyed by the unrealistic assumption that the supplies would last as long as they were, that the families had stocked enough or rationed enough. That Sela would have the luxury of sitting to read a book. That her family would have beef to make a stew months later. They were lucky to live in a highly wooded area, but I was still surprised how they wasted gasoline and kerosene.
I don’t care if a book is YA, Fantasy, Police Procedural, SciFi or Romance, it’s all fictional world building and characters. And I still need the creation and action to make sense.
I reserve judgement on this abridged copy.
Moran did an adequate job with narration though she had an odd diction or pronunciation of several words.

Great story and characters!

I really enjoyed this audiobook very much! In the beginning of the story we meet our hero who is a Marine who has retired to a cabin in the Smokie Mountains with PTSD and social withdrawal. He hears from a friend that a CME solar flare is on its way which will wipe out the electric grids across the world. He’s already fully stocked for survival, but heads into the small town at the foot of his mountain to fill up his gas tank. There we meet our heroine who is the shy owner of a gas station convenience store. She has always had a thing for the gruff loner and when he comes in she finds it hard to even talk to him. Little does she know that he’s attracted to her also. As he’s leaving, he stops suddenly at the door and warns her about what’s going to happen. As he leaves, she not sure whether to believe him, but decides to err on the side of caution and starts a hurried process to stock her home with as much as possible before the next day aided by her aunt and her young cousin. When the CME actually does happen, some people in the town are not quite prepared and it will take a leader to keep everyone alive during the coming winter. There’s a sexy relationship development between the two main characters, some low life drug addicts who try to cheat the town and heroics by our main hero. Altogether an exciting and fast paced story! Narration was excellent!

just so so

Got it because I like the narrator and thought it was a nora Roberts book at first. Story was fine but it ended abruptly and I thiught I skipped a few chapters, but I didn't. Glad i didn't pay money for it.

Great Covid-19 Read

I always enjoy Linda Howard and this did not disappoint. The story about a solar anomaly leading to global chaos was a great Covid-19 read. Narration was good.

Bland

I have so many of Linda Howard’s books that I love and listen to over and over again. Sadly this one was so boring I didn’t even want to finish it which is not my norm. Don’t waste your money or credit on this one.

Great Book

Very interesting novel. I enjoyed the characters. Thought provoking, believable for the future. Good story.

Timely Tale of Romance & Survival During a Global Emergency

A CME from a solar flare up knocks out all electrical power around the world with only a days notice. This is a story of isolation, friendship, and a community containing good and evil as they do what is necessary to survive in a small mountain village In Tennessee. There are interesting characters, a romance, struggles to live without some of the modern conveniences, and of course a violent clash between self centered, morally corrupt drug dealers and the community leaders. Some surprises were the lack of local police, firefighters, or even a small health clinic. There is an elementary school but middle and high schools are district run so presumably so is the library. There are vacation cottages but no fishing.hunting/outdoor store that is local but in next town? We are all familiar with how fast groceries are picked clean but seems like with even a little notice some of the previously ordered deliveries would be occurring. Some interesting solutions occur like smoking meat but lack of medical personnel was surprising. Enjoyed the build up though and the story, including the romance. Melissa Moran did a good job narrating but a second male performer would have enriched the experience. It was worth the credit and is a good piece of fiction.

Took a while, but it got there

Mercy the beginning was rough, but boy am I glad I stuck around. Such a good story and it really made me feel like I was there. I could imagine being in a situation like that and be forced to make some tough decisions. Great story! Annnd I loved the romance! So good.

CMP stops the world

Ben and Sela were two hearts that found each other after the disaster. I learned some new survival information. It was very well done. I enjoyed it!

Linda Howard Scores Another Hit!

Linda Howard is always one of my favorite go to authors and I thoroughly enjoyed this new book by her and Linda Jones which is a slow-burn romantic suspense. Although not the same subject matter as what is currently going on in the world right now, it did feel rather timely. This story also reminded me of Cover of Night which was one of my Linda Howard favorites. The narrator, Melissa Moran,did an excellent job as well. I gave it four stars.