Cover Image obtained from http://www.softley books.com
AIN’T NO GRAVE
The Penance of Leather: Book One
Author: S.A. Softley
Type of Book: eBook
Length: 260 pages
Genre: Fiction – Suspense
Release Date: August 1, 2015
Publisher: Book Baby
ISBN: 9781483557144
Rating: 5 out of 5 stars ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
* I received a free copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review.
** Advisory: This book contains mature themed, occasional violence, sexuality and language that may offend some readers. It is intended for audiences ages 16+
You can see the trailer for AIN’T NO GRAVE here:
While on what should have been a short and uneventful flight, a man becomes violently ill. When he stops breathing, CPR is administered but the attempt at resuscitation proves to be futile.
The pilot announces that the plane will be making an emergency landing. It is at this point that everything seems to go wrong; REALLY wrong.
“… only comes in flashes; images; feelings. I remember a piercing scream… I remember the searing heat that spread slowly… After that, everything went dark.”
When consciousness returns to the main character in the story, he realizes he is no longer on the plane. His clean shaven face has mysteriously grown a full beard and hunger gnaws at him. He also realizes he is in a hospital and he seems to be all alone.
Exiting the hospital he discovers that he is in a small Canadian town. Despite its normal outward appearance, the town is completely silent and seems to have been abandoned in the middle of a regular day. “Looking up and down the road, I couldn’t see movement anywhere.”
He needs to figure out what happened and exactly what he is going to do about it.
He quickly realizes that something is really wrong. He seems to be the only person left alive.
S.A. Softley has created a page-turner that is a distinctly unique take on the post-apocalyptic/zombie genre. When I first started reading and the main character woke up in a hospital, I had visions of a complete rip-off of “The Walking Dead.” This, thankfully, could not be farther from the truth.
The main character is unique. As readers learn more about him they begin to empathize with his situation. When he meets up with the old man the story takes an interesting and unexpected twist. In fact, I was taken completely by surprise; which does not happen very often.
I rate this book as 5 out of 5 stars ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
AIN’T NO GRAVE is the first book in The Penance of Leather Series and is such a great story that I was surprised to discover that it was the author’s first novel. I am very much looking forward to the next book.
Lovers of post-apocalyptic and zombie novels will fall in love with S.A. Softley’s terrific new series.
Buy a copy of AIN’T NO GRAVE today. You will not be disappointed.
I highly recommend this book and feel that it deserves a 5 Star rating. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
FAVORITE QUOTES:
“As in so many horror movies, the implication of the monster is always more frightening.”
“I silently cursed my family for my stunted emotions. My father had never expressed a feeling other than displeasure in his life as far as I could tell and my mother had wandered through life with blinders on, forcefully unaware that she’d married an asshole.”
“I’d had longer relationships with disposable razors than with most people.”
“My gaze fell in horror to the grotesque and peeling shape that hung between his legs. Few things could bring as much sympathetic dread to a man as the sight of damage to that most valued of organs.”
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Author image obtained from http://www.softleybooks.com
S. A. Softley lives in Calgary Alberta, Canada with his wonderful wife. He is a teacher and musician with a number of album and writing credits to his name. When he is not teaching, playing music, reading or writing; he enjoys travelling and seeking out new experiences and adventures. Softley is a perpetual learner and graduate of the University of Calgary. To learn more, visit http://www.SoftleyBooks.com
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