Beyond the Night: Envy Chronicles Book 1

Joss Ware has created a wonderful new series in a ruined world. I admit, I usually avoid post-Apocalyptic stories as they're depressing, and I read this only because the author was speaking at our local RWA meeting. I was blown away. The world is intriguing rather than depressing, as the characters find their way through the dangers of night-roaming zombies, buildings rotting under their feet, wild animals and (most dangerous of all) other humans. Oh, and then there are the Strangers--who/what are they?! Five men "wake up" in a cave after earthquakes have shaken the world to bits to find 50 years have passed although they haven't aged. But Elliot, a compassionate doctor, has also acquired a "gift." I can't tell you more about that--it's too good. The heroine is kick-ass without being annoying (a real feat for Ms Ware) and I found myself rooting for the survivors. Satisfying love story and a terrific paranormal. Eager for the next book, Embrace the Night Eternal.

I thoughly enjoyed the book. The writing style was very good. I actually felt like I was there. This new series will not disappoint. Great job.

I loved this book. It started off suspenseful and left me wanting more. Who knew a post-apocalyptic world involving zombies would be so good!?!

Ok you caught me. There's no better way to relax at the end of the day than with a good romance book. If you combine romance with science fiction, it's even better! Beyond the Night is a paranormal romance that takes place in Earth's future. A group of men are spelunking in a cave in Arizona when they feel an earthquake hit. When they wake up, the world has changed. Cities are in ruin. It's clear to them that something catastrophic has happened. There are dangerous monsters that resemble zombies running around attacking people and there's a race of mysterious, evil immortals threatening the few humans that are left in this world. Not only has some apocolptic event happened to them while they were asleep, but they appear to have woken up 50 years later and have not aged a single day in all that time. They are each endowed with a different special power too! The men meet up with the inhabitants of Envy (what used to be Las Vegas) and sparks fly when Elliot meets Jade, a strong beautiful woman dedicated to defeating the evil in Envy. They have to find out how to survive in this new world where everything is different and dangerous. With the increased interest in end of the world and 2012 stories, this book really hits the spot. It's a refreshing change from the Vampire/Werewolf paranormal romances that seem to be all the rage right now in the romance world. The romance scenes are hot and heavy and the action is non stop as the characters fend off danger and learn their way around their new home. This is Joss Ware's first novel in the new paranormal romance series, The Envy Chronicles, that was published in January 2010. The other two titles in this series include Embrace the Night and Abandon the Night.

Imagine waking up after being asleep for fifty years to find that the world all but ended? That is the premise this first book in Ware's new series begins with. I really enjoyed the whole concept and I'm looking forward to seeing all the characters again in the next books. I highly recommend this book as something entirely new and interesting.