FAMILIES FIRST
HARD ROADS
A POST-APOCALYPTIC
NEXT-WORLD
BOOK SERIES
VOLUME 4
LANCE K. EWING
Families First ~ Hard Roads
A Post-Apocalyptic
Next-World Book Series
Volume 4
Copyright © 2020 by Lance K. Ewing
The characters and events in this book are fictitious.
Any similarity to real persons, living or dead, is coincidental
and not intended by the author.
All rights reserved. The scanning, uploading and distribution
of this book without permission is a theft of the author’s intellectual property.
If you would like permission to use material from the book
(other than for review purposes), please contact [email protected].
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ISBNs: 978-1-7350305-1-7 (Kindle)
978-1-7350305-0-0 (trade paperback)
First Kindle edition: May 2020
First paperback edition: June 2020
Printed in the United States of America
Dedication
To my wife, Hannah, our three awesome crazy boys,
Hudson, Jax and Hendrix,
and to my mom, Shareen, for her tireless editing.
To the readers who took a chance on a new author
without knowing if there would be a second volume.
Thank you to all readers who left honest reviews on Amazon,
Goodreads and Audible, making this continued series possible.
Foreword
Recap of Volumes One, Two and Three
In Volumes One, Two and Three of Families First ~ Post-Apocalyptic Next-World Series, we were introduced to a cast of characters spanning multiple locations across the United States, all with diverse points of view and hardships to overcome.
We learn that North Korea dropped an EMP in the center of the United States, knocking out power to all states, except Hawaii, as well as parts of Canada and Mexico. With no electricity, food or running water, and few working vehicles, the country is instantly reduced to the hardships of days long gone. It’s every family for themselves in this new and hostile world.
Lance and Joy, along with their children, like-minded friends and neighbors, embark on their journey, headed to Saddle Ranch in the Colorado Rocky Mountains by way of Raton Pass, New Mexico.
The first leg of the trek to Raton Pass would prove more difficult than they could ever imagine, plagued with injuries and losses along the way. Relying on faith, and loyal to the group, they soldier on and finally arrive at their destination.
Vlad is transferred to a FEMA camp, and eventually to Trinidad, for surgery following a life-threatening injury.
The sons of Lance and Joy each face hardships and potentially catastrophic situations.
Former McKinney police officer, Mike, proves to be a hindrance to the group as well as an invaluable help when safety is on the line.
Lonnie and Jake keep everything running as smoothly as possible.
Joy, Nancy and Tina earn MVPs of the first leg of the trip.
Mac, on Saddle Ranch, falls in love with a beautiful medical doctor, but the relationship is complicated from the very start.
Crossover has begun between the communities of Saddle Ranch, led by John, and The West, led by Samuel.
David and the Jenkins family in Raton, New Mexico, suffer a devastating loss after an accident involving mistaken identity.
James and Janice, in Weston, Colorado, start their new family, taking in a young orphaned boy named Billy. With both James and Jason in new town government posts, they try to remain neutral as the Sheriff and Judge passively battle for control of the town.
It is clear to all that Ronna is working with the US Military, and always has been.
Volume Three finds our main group held up at Raton Pass longer than they had planned, but their assistance will prove invaluable to David Jenkins and The Raton Pass Militia.
The battle for control of the town of Weston, Colorado, heats up, with both the Sheriff and Judge vying for the allegiance of the town Mayor, James VanFleet.
On Saddle Ranch in Loveland, Colorado, old foes unexpectedly turn into allies and the security detail is gutted and put back together, piece by piece, for the imminent battle for control of the pristine Valley.
The Colonel takes a shine to Lance’s group and forges a friendship with the always-boisterous and joking Vlad that may prove life-saving for many others. As they learn new information about Ronna’s and Baker’s intentions, they become more concerned with getting to Saddle Ranch in a timely manner.
* * * *
Dear Reader,
If this is your first look at my Families First series, please consider reading Volumes One, Two and Three first. This is a planned series of 6-8 volumes, depending of course on you, the reader. I am working hard on Volume Four.
Thank you for purchasing and, most of all, for reading the first three books in the series. In this day of Internet publishing, I realize you have many other choices in this genre, and I am honored you would spend your money and time with me. As writers, we now, more than ever, are judged by our reviews online. If you enjoyed this book, please leave an honest review on Amazon.
For those of you interested in this series, please consider keeping in touch by visiting my website at lancekewingauthor.com for upcoming books and projects, as well as weekly updates on what I am up to. I will not distribute your e-mail anywhere and will only contact you in reply to a question you may have or to let you know of an upcoming volume or series I am about to release.
In return for your e-mail, I will forward you my Quick Guide e-book (free of charge and not available for sale) with more information on the characters of Families First, including their backstories, much of which you will not find in any of the
